The Canadian perspective on the Presidential Inauguration, First phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, & Is 2025 the year of longer vacations?

WELCOME TO THE MWSA PODCAST FOR TUESDAY, JAN 21st  We begin with a ‘Canadian’ perspective on Monday’s Presidential Inauguration in Washington. We get the thoughts of Mercedes Stephenson – Global News Ottawa Bureau Chief – and Host of the West Block. Mercedes breaks down the potential impact of President Trumps ‘Tariff plans’ on some of our biggest industries – and explains how we may be able to ‘placate’ the incoming Administration by ‘beefing up’ our spending commitment when it comes to National Defence and NATO. Next - the long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has remained steady for the past few days. So far, 3-Iraeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners have been exchanged as part of the first phase of the agreement. We get an update on the latest in the conflict – and ceasefire – from Robert Huish - Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Dalhousie University And finally….A new travel survey predicts that for 2025 consumers are more interested in longer trips - and taking their time to enjoy the destination. We catch up with ‘The Travel Lady’, Lesley Keyter – to talk about this new trend – and where people are planning on spending MORE time, this year.